Mohun Bagan verdict ‘soon’

OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

New Delhi: The one-man commission appointed by All India Football Federation (AIFF) on the Mohun Bagan issue held its hearing in the capital on Monday.

The commission, headed by former Supreme Court Judge Asok Ganguly heard both the parties in a five-star hotel for over five hours. Sources said the AIFF is hoping the commission would announce its decision latest by Wednesday.

“We have no idea when Justice Ganguly would deliver his verdict,” said a senior AIFF official. “But since the commission has already heard Mohun Bagan and the federation, we can assume the decision would come soon.”

Expectedly, Mohun Bagan, who were asked first by the commission to explain their stand on the subject, emphasised on the issue of Force Majuere. They argued that the conditions at the Salt Lake Stadium on December 9 were not good enough to continue the match in the second half.

“Mohun Bagan’s counsel even said his team was ready to play the replay of the tie which they refused to continue in the second half while trailing by a solitary goal,” said a source. “They even showed video evidences to back their claims,” he added.

Mohun Bagan also said they did not come out of the dressing room in the second half because the footballers were scared to do so. The club officials, too, were not confident about the safety of the players.

The federation, on their part, said the issue of Force Majuere cannot be implemented in this particular case, as there was hardly any law and problem in the second half.